.s. consulateinbenghaziyesterday.the president in turn was faulted by his presidential rival mitt romney. steve handelsman has the latest. >> reporter: the u.s. consulate was still burning when president obama ordered in u.s. marines to protect american officials remaining in libya. he learned this morning four diplomats were dead. >> the united states condemns in the strongest terms this outrageous and shocking attack. >> reporter: riots preceded the deaths, first in ki yo, then in benghazi, syria's number two city, well known to chris stephens. he was there when u.s. air raids prevented a massacre by moammar gadhafi. stephens reportedly braved the otto evacuate his people. >> he risked his life to stop a tyrant, then gave his life trying to help build a better libya. >> reporter: why the riots? clips had flooded the internet of an amateurish anti-muslim movie said to be made in the u.s. as flags were lowered in washington, the tragedy went political. >> an apology for america's values is never the right course. >> reporter: mitt romney blamed president obama for a statement by the u.s.